HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College men's basketball team, under the tutelage of first-year head coach Aric Samuel, is ready to get the 2016-17 season underway. The Cobras open up their season on Friday (Nov. 11) at the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge.
Hitting Rewind
The Cobras finished the 2015-16 season with a nine wins, five of which came in South Atlantic Conference play. They were ranked ninth in the D2SIDA Southeast Region Media Poll during the week of Nov. 23-29. Donte Samuels was a preseason second team All-SAC selection and a regular season honorable mention All-SAC selection.
2016-17 Season Outlook
The Cobras present a 28-man roster, made up of 13 returners and 15 fresh faces. Head coach Aric Samuel will look to his four seniors, Jalal Abdul-Azeez, Stefan Osborne, JaQuez Motley and Donte Samuels for veteran leadership to guide what is a young roster on paper.
"I will look to these older guys for their leadership on and off the floor," said Samuel. "I expect big things from Donte, Stefan, Jalal, JaQuez amongst others."
Samuels headlines the Coker roster, picking up a 2016 preseason second team All-SAC selection, his fourth consecutive all-conference selection. The senior from Rocky Mount, N.C. finished last season averaging 15.6 points per game, to go along with 5.5 rebounds.
Contributions and an immediate impact will be necessary from the 15 freshmen on the Coker roster, many of which will see a significant amount of minutes on the floor right away.
"I am expecting some good things from Miguel Priest, Demarco Jackson and LaDarius Williams," said Samuels.
The Cobras were selected to finish tenth in the SAC preseason poll, with Lincoln Memorial University coming in as the overwhelming favorite. For the full release of the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, click here.
"From top to bottom, the SAC is as strong as conference as any," said Samuel. "We cannot have an off night because anybody can beat anybody in this conference."
What to Look For
The Cobras kick off their 2016-17 campaign on Nov. 11, when they travel to North Greenville University for the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge.
Coker will play Catawba on Nov. 22, that matchup serving as the home and conference opener.
Exhibition contest with Gardner-Webb University and Hampton University highlight the Division I slate for the Cobras.
For the full interview with head coach Aric Samuel, click here.